Bears DT Akiem Hicks exits Vikings game with hamstring injury

A unit that already lost two key players this season took another hit with Hicks’ injury Monday.

By Jason Lieser

Akiem Hicks has been one of the Bears’ best players in his return from an elbow injury that cost him most of last season.

The Bears lost one of their top defensive players in their game against the Vikings on Monday.

Defensive tackle Akiem Hicks left with a hamstring injury in the second half, and the team said he was doubtful to return.

Hicks, in his ninth season, had played 86% of the Bears’ defensive snaps going into Monday and had 35 tackles (seven for negative yardage), 3.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hits and a fumble recovery. He had four tackles and a quarterback hit against the Vikings.

Hicks was doing some of his best work coming off a season when he missed 11 games because of a knee injury (one) and a dislocated elbow (10).

The Bears’ defensive line has taken hits all year. Pro Bowler Eddie Goldman opted out of the season because of concerns about the coronavirus, and defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris went on season-ending injured reserve last week with a shoulder injury.

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